Google has released its beta version of Picasa 3.0, a desktop photo management software that will include new features, including a new facial recognition feature, ZDNet and Read Write Web have reported.

Other new additions to Picasa include online auto-synchronisation between desktop photos and the Web Albums, a movie maker mode and a retouch option for fixing photographs, according to ZDNet.

While facial recognition is not revolutionary, Picasa's Web Albums provide automated recognition and tagging. However, Riya, a company that previously attempted facial recognition, made “too many mistakes,” according to Read Write Web.

"When you give Google permission to scan your photo collection for faces, it automatically begins processing. Once it's finished, you are given a list of faces to identify — and thats all there is to it. Once you have done that, you can easily search and sort through photos by name," ZDNet reported.